John David Hartman November 17, 1944 - March 28, 2017

John David Hartman, 72, of Sisters, passed away on March 28, 2017. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 17, 1944. Jack served in the Air Force from 1964 to 1967.

Jack went out of this life just as he lived it: on his own terms. Jack took each day for exactly what it was worth. He did what he wanted for as long as he wanted, and taught many of us how to let go of the little things and embrace the joy of living true to yourself.

A buyer and seller of "junk," he had a keen eye for the unique and valuable, and loved a good yard sale or fleamarket. Though he thrived on buying and selling, he was not attached to material possessions and would easily give something away. Jack's generosity was unmatched, as was shown in his years of giving to Sisters Folk Festival, with both time and art.

He had extraordinary artistic talent, seen in his original paintings and sculptures, and in his imaginatively designed (and constantly changing) living spaces. Most who knew him have some favorite painting or unique object that Jack gave to them.

Jack loved the sun, and spent years living in the Florida Keys as a campground manager, where he met the friends who would connect him to Oregon. For the past 12 years, Jack found happiness and home living in Sisters in the company of his adopted family. 

Jack always said he was immune to rules because he wasn't playing anyone else's game. His charm, warmth, zest for life, and unique sense of practicality provided him with the means for all manner of adventures. From Pennsylvania to the Florida Keys, from Oregon to Mexico he meandered, staying just as long as it was interesting to him, but always returning to Oregon.

Jack goes on to join his brothers Don and Robert, mother Iona Belle, and father Edward David Hartman. He leaves behind his brother Red, and a tribe of treasured friends. All who knew him will miss his laughter and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

There will be a celebration of life at the Adair Clubhouse in Adair Village, Corvallis on Sunday, May 7, 2017, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 541-745-7455.

Donations in Jack's memory can be made to Sisters Folk Festival, earmarked for the Americana Project Arts Outreach Scholarship. For more information, please visit https://sistersfolk.org/apaos/.